The Washington critic., 1887-08-06
ADA ADAIR.
Written for Tnr WASHINGTON cmrlc.l

One glorious morning In midsummer
two ladies were sitting in rustic loung-
ing chairs upon the wide veranda of
the Hemlock Inn.
The younger, fair maid with dark
blue eyes and wealth of golden hair,
gazed dreamily out upon the charming
view-a little lake amid the pineclad
Adirondack hills, calm and still In q
glare of August sunshine.
The older lady held an open news.
paper In her hand, and had just read
in it this notice, mystical to the un.
initiated:
Co,uT THEATRE CALL, SEASON 1857.
The ladies and gentlemen of the company
will assemble IN the green room, Monday.
August 30, at 10 n. m, for first rehearsal.
Season opens September 0.
Mn. GEoRGE GARRiCK, Manager.
She realized sadly that the time had
come when they must bid farewell to
this quaint mountain village and go
back to the toll and striving of the city.
After the blissful dallance of o holiday
1t is not pleasant to think of returning
TO the burden and worry of common.
place labor. But this was but passing
regret; there was more serious cause
ioi uieluietuuc Nv tuis suuucn SUM
mons.
Mother" suddenly said the girl,
II will tell Arthur to. day the true
story of my life. have done wrong
In not telling him long ago."
Her mothers face frightened. ut
will be best to do so," she replied. II
am confident that 1t will make no diff.
ference in his feelings toward you,
while should some accident disclose
that you are 'on the stage, the discov.
cry that you have deceived him may
make serious breach between you."
"Then, dear, will tell him all as
soon as he comes. ! expect him to call
every moment"
''lndeed you cannot defer 1t any
longer" rcioined her mother; "you are
called for rehearsal on the Both, only
week ahead"
At this instant CHEEKY voice ex.
claimed, Good morning, ladies y and
Arthur Marvin stepped upon the bal
cony. The blush that came into the
young girls checks told clearly that
the Rev. Arthur Marvin was the che"
of the preceding conversation.
lie had Come to Hemlockville two
years before In an endeavor to repair
by long rest the ravages close and
assiduous application to his studies had
wrought In his constitution. Being
successful In his quest for health, and
finding, too, that the word he taught
fell upon willing ears, he had perma.
nently settled In the village as rector
of the Episcopalian Church.
Until the advent of this fair maid into
his life he had been Indifferent to city
and country bellies alike, but from the
moment he first beheld her he felt that
here was woman he could love.
Throughout the happy months Of
her vacation, as they drove along the
shady roads, rowed over the lake or
strolled on the picturesque paths that
bordered 1t, they told again the old,
old story that is forever new-the ro.
nance of the liking of young hearts.
Mrs. Vaughn was the widow of an
actor, and Penelope, her daughter,
was an actress at the Comet Theatre,
''the home of burlesque," where she
was known as Miss Ada Adair. None
of the boarders In the Hemlock Inn
were aware of this, nor did Arthur
know 1t. AS we have seen. Penelope
had determined to tell him at the first
opportunity.
Arthur had only time to say few
words about the concert that was to
take place that evening, and then he
was obliged to leave them. Penelope
was forced to await another occasion
10 disclose her secret.
The guests of the Hemlock inn had
hired the village hall for that night,
and announced grand vocal and In
strumental concert for the benefit O
Mr. Marvin's church. Penelope, who
never sang In the hotel parlors as til ,
other ladies did, had surprised til (,
managers by Offering to sing q solo.
When her turn came to appear befor
the crowded audience, she walked
quietly out upon the small stage and
sang the sAllful words of "London
Bridge" She felt In strange accord
with Its weird refrain.
Storm and sunshine peace and strife,
over the bridge they 90;
Floating on In the tide of life,
Whittier no man shall know.
Who Will miss them there Tomorrow
Walls, that drift to the shade or sum
Gone away with their songs and sorrow;
Only the river still flows on.
Hurry along, sorrow and song
All Is vanity meath the sun
Velvet and rags, so the world wags,
Until the river no more shall run.
Her song aroused the audience to the
highest pitch of enthusiasm; they were
enraptured by the charm and passion
In her rich, full voice. A storm of ap.
plause burst forth when she had fin.
isbed, and only after treble repetition
did her auditors reluctantly allow her
TO leave the stage.
A young man who had only arrived
at the Ilemlock inn that evening re.
solved not TO sit through the rest of the
entertainment.
"Pll pass the time better walking
about" thought he. Queer go, to
find Ada Adair here singing under a
strange name
So musing, he lit a cigar outside the
hall and set forth upon ramble
through the village.
This soon grew tiresome. He
yawned and stood for moment unde.
cidcd whether to go on or not. A sign
opposite attracted his attention, "rhe
Adirondack Eagle" lie crossed the
road and looked through the window.
The interior was lit up aud some one
was visible writing at desk.
81 wonder what keeps my colleague
of the pen upo nights" thought the
young stranger, as he entered the office
and walked leisurely upto its occupant.
How are you ?" said he. II am
VIII Dover Of the New York ArJitGr.
Thought I'd call to sec how your noble
bird is ilourishing."
The person writing was sandy
haired frpclxlnl foonl cni,ntry h,yy In